Disposable toothbrush containing a dentifrice



Sept. 25, 1956 w. E. LYONS' 2,763,885

DISPOSABLE TOQTHBRUSH CONTAINING A DENTIFRICE Filed Sept. 22, 1952 QINVENTOR. V VV/LL/AM E. LYONS ATTORNEYS.

DISPGSABLE TOOTHBRUSH CONTAINING A DENTIFRICE William E. Lyons, Clifton Park, N. Y.

Application September 22, 1952, Serial No. 310,826

3 Claims. (Cl. 15-244) The term toothbrush, as used in the specification and claims, is used because it is the term generally accepted for a device which is used for the purpose for which the invention herein disclosed is intended.

The invention relates to a disposable toothbrush containing a suitable quantity of dentifrice for cleaning ones teeth. An object of this invention is to provide a means of cleaning ones teeth at times when it would otherwise be awkward to provide the conventional type toothbrush and dentifrice. A further object of my invention is to provide a new type toothbrush suitable not only for cleaning the teeth, but for massaging the gums. Other objects and advantages will be more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and accompanying drawing.

One form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my toothbrush with the outer wrapper unfolded. Figure 2 is a side elevation of my toothbrush attached to a finger by means of the adhesive backing; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the toothbrush with the adhesive on the tape still protected by the unfolded outer wrapper.

The novel disposable toothbrush of this invention includes a scrubber formed of a cellular or porous material such as flexible foam plastic, sponge rubber, natural sponge and the like. A dentifrice 2 is contained in the scrubber, said dentifrice filling the cells or pores of the scrubber. An adhesive tape 3 is fastened to the scrubber on its side opposite its adhesive side by suitable means such as by the utilization of a cement, adhesive or stitchmg.

A nonabsorbent sheet material 4 such as wax paper or cellophane or the like is placed over the exposed dentifrice Z to protect it while in the wrapper 5 and while attaching 'nited States Patent 0 2,763,885 Patented Sept. 25, 1956 the scrubber to the finger by means of the adhesive tape 3.

The outer wrapper 5 is a protective cover of wax paper or cellophane or a similar suitable material which can be sealed at the joints and folds to exclude air, moisture or other contamination. The adhesive of the tape 3 comes in contact with this outer wrapper 5 and is protected by it.

T 0 use the toothbrush, it is only necessary to open the outer wrapper 5, peel the adhesive tape 3 from the inner side of this wrapper 5, press the adhesive tape 3 to the finger as shown in Figure 2, using the other hand to press it on. When the tape is securely fastened to the finger, remove the protective sheet material 4 from the scrubber 1 and dentifrice 2, the toothbrush is ready to use as it is, or it can be wetted with water if it is the users preference.

I am aware that prior to my invention disposable type toothbrushes have been made, however, I believe what I claim has not been made before.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A disposable toothbrush comprising a scrubber formed of cellular material and containing a dentifrice, one face of said scrubber having attached thereto adhesive means whereby said scrubber may be attached to a finger so that the finger becomes the support for the scrubber, and a second strip temporarily attached to the opposite face of said scrubber for protecting the dentifrice contained in said scrubber prior to use.

2. A disposable toothbrush as defined in claim 1 wherein said adhesive means comprises a strip having an adhesive coating on its outer side with its inner side being secured to said scrubber.

3. A disposable toothbrush as defined in claim 1 wherein there is provided a protective cover for the adhesive means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,639,718 Bacorn Aug. 23, 1927 1,960,137 Brown May 22, 1934 2,121,701 Landers -1 June 21, 1938 2,159,914 Tweedale May 23, 1939 2,165,420 Seifert July 11, 1939 2,419,896 Hobelmann Apr. 29, 1947 2,439,056 Rathbun Apr. 6, 1948 2,474,535 Krannak June 28, 1949 2,633,127 Scholl Mar. 3, 1953 

